Due to weather conditions, this year's Australian grape production season commenced earlier than usual. By mid-March, a substantial volume had already reached the Chinese market via sea shipments, arriving approximately one to two weeks ahead of schedule compared to previous years.
In particular, the production season for Crimson seedless red grapes is delayed this year compared to other Australian grape varieties. Large quantities of these grapes are expected to arrive in the Chinese market by the end of March and early April, aligning closely with previous years' schedules. However, Crimson red grape production has experienced a nearly 30% reduction this year, resulting in a decreased number of fruits meeting the standards of the Chinese market. It is anticipated that the volume reaching China will be reduced by approximately 30% to 50% compared to previous years. Mr. Amer Jin from Shanghai WoNong Import & Export Co., Ltd. provided insights into the Australian seedless grape production season.
Amer visited the Australian production area in late February to gather grape-related information. He noted that the Crimson red grape production season is fraught with challenges this year. "During the early stages, Crimson grapes quickly accumulated sugar, but the fruits had not yet developed their characteristic purple color, making them unsuitable for picking and packaging. However, if left on the vine to ripen further, the fruits' firmness would deteriorate."
"In late February, the local temperatures soared, surpassing 40°C on several days, rendering it unsuitable for harvesting. Consequently, most Crimson grapes remained on the vines unpicked. The heatwave further compromised the fruits' firmness," Amer explained. He emphasized that the Chinese market places stringent quality requirements on grapes and is willing to pay a premium accordingly. However, due to the aforementioned challenges, the volume of grapes reaching China will be diminished.
"Despite the generally consistent quality of Crimson grapes in the early arrivals, overall sales have been below expectations. A box of medium-grade 9.5kg red grapes is currently priced at approximately ￥230-￥240. This represents a 10%-20% decrease compared to prices during the same period last year."
Amer observes that the current grape prices are depressed, indicating an unhealthy market condition. However, he pointed out two positive factors suggesting a potential market improvement in the future.
"During late February and early March, the Crimson grapes I sampled in the Australian production area exhibited excellent sweetness, color, and texture, indicating a promising quality trend for upcoming batches. Additionally, as domestic temperatures rise and the Qingming Festival (April 4) approaches, market demand is expected to increase, leading to a potential rise in both prices and volumes."
In addition to Crimson red grapes, Amer mentioned that Sweet Globe grapes among Australian green varieties will arrive in significant quantities within the next week or two, with their quality currently stable.
Shanghai WoNong Import and Export Co., Ltd. specializes in a variety of imported and domestic high-quality fruits, including grapes, citrus, and stone fruits from Australia. Their offerings include Crimson red grapes, Sweet Globe and Autumn Crisp green grapes, as well as Sweet Sapphire black grapes.